This is a great little funky place just south of downtown that serves breakfast and lunch. It has a cozy, slightly funky, very friendly and fun atmosphere. There's a small counter around the kitchen area, practically to the front door, and none of the mugs match, giving a great homey feel. The food is essentially a different and fresh, imaginitive take on standard diner-type American food. Breakfast consists of pancakes, omelettes & other egg dishes, biscuits and gravy, etc., but it is all utterly excellent, different & more imaginitive than what normally finds, made with great care, subtlety, & fresh, local ingredients. Examples of the different dishes are duck confit; warm poached egg salad with bacon, potato, etc., on baby greens and romaine with a light vinaigrette; wondeful hash with sharp cheddar, sauteed cherry tomatoes, spinach, and basil, and topped with egg. The service is also fast and very friendly.

Notably, everything is homemade, too, and they use fresh, seasonal ingredients. As a result, the menu changes seasonally.

On top of the quality, it is not at all expensive, either. It's comparable to Mac's (another great place downtown) and if anything less expensive than inferior chain places like IHOP.

Favorite Dish: The biscuits and gravy are simply the best we've ever had anywhere. The warm poached-egg salad is also wonderful and the pancakes, while essentially basic buttermilk pancakes, are excellent, made the way one always wants but rarely finds. The breakfast sandwich is also great.

Excellent specials sometimes available include wonderful gazpacho & a salad of greens with fresh mango, freshly-fried chicken pieces, and a light vinaigrette.

The Country Benedict is a wondeful variation on Eggs Benedict, with hash browns, dried tomatoes, mushrooms & spniach with the eggs, bacon, and Hollandiase on a toasted baguette.

The pull-aparts, freshly made fried leavened dough covered in sugar & cinnamon, are excellent as well.

Address:404 Santa Rosa Ave., Santa RosaPrice Comparison:about averageDirections:It is just south of downtown Santa Rosa at the corner of Santa Rosa Ave. and Wheeler St. It is almost across the street from Juillard Park and essentially across the street from the (eyesore) Astro Motel.Phone:707-573-5955Price:less than US$10Rating:5Theme:Eclectic/InternationalWebsite:http://www.dierksparkside.com/index.html